The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-29
THE PORTLAND CLUB
Passes Appropriate Resolutions or
the Death of Gov. BodweIi.
Speeches by Messrs. Henry B.
Cleaves and Joseph A. Locke.

The regular monthly meeting of the Port
land Club was held last evening at the club
room. Although the night was tempestuous
in the extreme there were about fifty gentle
men present. and the dinner served was ex-
oellent. AT the close of the bountiful repast
Colonel Fred N. Dow, president, called the
meeting to order and briefly stated that the
committee which had been appointed to pre-
pare resolutions on the death of Governor
Bodwell was ready to report and he called
upon Mr.. Joseph A. Locke, of the commit
tee, who spoke as follows:
MIR. LocKE's SPEECH.
Mr.. President:
A great sorrow has fallen upon the people
of this State. Its chief magistrate. man
honored and loved by all who knew him,
has been lain away in the silent grave. Men
Of all political parties, from every walk in
life, and every part of the State gathered at
Augusta on the day Of his funeral to pay the
last sad tribute Of respect to the memory of
one whom they loved and respected as an
honest man, a worthy citizen, an able gov
ernor and sincere friend A sense of be-
reayement seemed to spread itself like a
pail over that vast assemblage and all felt as
though personal friend had gone. Gov
ernor Bodwell was indeed one of the people;
born In humble circumstances, by his energy,
industry and perseverance he had risen step
by step until he had become identified with
many of the leading business industries Of
tn State and was probably personally ac-
quainted with, and known by more men,
both capitalists and those dependent upon
their daily wages, than any other citizen.
Such was the universal esteem In which he
was held, that when less than two years
since 1t was understood that his name would
be presented tor the Republican nomination
for governor, the general sentiment OF the
State was for him: The result is well
known. Elected to the governorship, he at
tended to the various duties of that high
office with the sense of assiduity, fidelity and
business care which had characterized his
management of his own vast business enter
prises. He was not content with being
simply governor in name but felt it was his
duty to see to it, that the States business
was properly conducted and all its laws
equally and honestly enforced. The addi-
tiOnal burden was too much, with his other
business, for any man to carry. He has
fallen Well it is, for us, his fellow citizens
to recall his worth and his many virtues,
and place on record our esteem for noble,
Christian, temperance man.
My first acquaintance with Mr.. Bodwell
was during the session of the Legislature of
1877, of which we were both members. In
my frequent intercourse with himlat that time
and since have ever found him a strong
man, and although of few words, yet pos
sessed of a keen understanding which read
lily grasped the salient points of every ques-
ton presented, and while observant Of the
opinions of others, in all matters relating
to business, finances and the varied inter-
ests of the State and its citizens, self-reliant
and of strong individuality. Not aggressive
nor arrogant in his ideas, yet the native
simplicity of his tastes and his life made
him the strong. advocate and supporter of
those ideas and measures which he thought
right, and equally the outspoken opponent
OF those he thought wrong. Our educational
and beneficiary institutions received his
earnest support and all measures tending to
the amelioration of the condition of the
poor unfortunate, found in him a sincere
friend Possessed of keen penetration he
readily discerned all fictitious pretences and
shams of reform under whatever guise pre-
sented, and could be induced to support no
measure he did not fully approve. His
knowledge offmen was equally great, and
of fawners and sycophants and political
weathercocks he would have no part; he
might treat them with civilty, but never
gave them his confidence.
A plain man, simple and unassuming in
manner and habit, there was grace of mod
esty which charmed all who came in contact
with him. A sound common sense and .
practical view of things characterized his
every action; in word, his character was
of the noblest, and resting upon basis
frmer than the granite quarries he wrought,
preserved in him an integrity in private and
public life, never surpassed, and which COM
manded the respect of all men. Errors he
may have committed, for ito err is human"
bnt no man was more willing to rectify them
If possible, than he.
As public officer, he was careful of the
interests committed to bis care, as an indi-
yidual full of sympathy and kindness, and
his charity was given unostentatiously and
without stint
Such is the record of him whom we would
honor. He has gone, but this record of his
life and his work remain; not only to re-
mind us of him, whom, living, we loved and
honored, but who, dead, has left the impress
u.s.. 1t Is record of which his relatives may
well feel proud; it is a record of which the
people OF this State may well feel proud; it
is record and an example to stimulate every
young man, by showing him what true worth,
industry and integrity can accomplish.
Mr.. Locke then read the following resolu-
tions which were unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, That this club fullyIsympathises in the
sense Of public loss and personal bereavement
that afcts the people of the State of Maine in the
death of theirsloyed and honored Chief Magis-
trate. Gov. j. Il. Bodwell who was member of
this club.
marked by benoming dignity and simplicity of
personal bearing, a deep appreciation Of his Off
cial responsibility and an earnest desire and aim
TO give full force and effect TO the Will Of the peo
pie as expressed In the laws to promote the eff
cheney of the educational, charitable and other
public institutions within the scope of his guardi-
anship and to advance the welfare and prosperity
of the whole State
ResotUed, That Gov. Bodwell was strongly at
tached to the State of his adoption; loved and re-
spected its people; was proud of its history; adj
mired the grandeur, beauty and variety Of its
natural endowments, and had firm and constant
belief In its prospective greatness. This Senti-
ment and this confidence were abundantly exem-
plfed in the course of his long, useful and active
life among us. He was man of action rath er
than of words. Kis regard for his fellow-ctizens
found its most natural expression in the help
and to the full measure Of his ability, to every
worthy person or object appealing to him for
counsel, encouragement or material aid. He
sought to raise the State to the position Of import
ance and the degree OF prosperity which he FORE
saw as its destiny, by applying In many directions
yelopment and utiization Of the valuable natural
resources and advantages 1t presented to his
quick perceptions and sound judgment.
Res0LUed That the State of Maine has suffered
the loss OF an. able and patriotic Governor who
held dear AL that pertained to her good name and
enterprise gave life and encouragement to her
business Interests. He respected labor and was
a true friend OF the lab0ring man. He was glad
to furnish employment for them and rejoiced in
seeing happy homes multiplying around his in
dustrial establishments and deriving maintenance
ResoIved That we mourn the man whose life
was an active and beniicent force, ana who by
the sincerity of his character the kindliness and
hearty cheerfulness of his manner, the offspring
of true, warm heart, endeared himself to all
who knew him personally. His memary will be
held in aifectionate keeping by thousands Of his
good works, and will remain and be cherished as
as inspiring example of the worth and accom-
plishments of pure and noble life
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered in
the records of the Club and copy be sent to Mrs.
Bodwell.
Hon. Henry B. Cleaves was next intro
duced. His remarks were as follows:
MIR. CLEAvEs's SPEECH.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen:
The eloquent and just tributes that have
been rendered to the memory of the dead by
nv associate of the committee ON resolu-
tions truthfully express the sentiments en-
tertained by the members of this Club and
the entire community. No euloges from us
can add to the bright lustre which encrc)es
the name of Joseph X. Bodwel, or increase
the high and profound respect entertained
for him by the community. His name was
known and respected in every household
within the limits of the State, nor was it
circumscribed by State lines. Maine has
not only lost an upright, honest and patriotic
citizen, but an able. fearless and conscen
tious executive. His sudden and lamented
death excites feeling of personal bereave-
ment and sorrow In the hearts of all. His
was life worthy of emulation. You are
familiar with its history his success was his
own. BY great industry, by constant and
unremittiug toll. by strict and unfinching
devotion to duty, coupled with sincerity and
honesty of purpose, he wrought out as of
solid granite, his success in life. He had no